An Incidental Case of a Rare Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): Does Infective Endocarditis Ger-Bode Well?

The Gerbode defect is a rare ventricular septal defect (VSD) between the left ventricle (LV) and right atrium (RA). We describe a challenging case of a rare acquired Gerbode defect from infective endocarditis. A 73-year-old male presented for left lower extremity edema and shortness of breath with exertion.

Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as constrictive pericarditis.

In patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, the sarcoid granulomas usually involve the myocardium or endocardium. The disease typically presents as heart failure with ventricular arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, or both. Constrictive pericarditis has rarely been described in patients with sarcoidosis: we found only 2 reports of this association.

An in-vitro evaluation of effect of EDTAC on root dentin with respect to time.

Background: The present study was devised to evaluate the effects of 17% EDTAC on smear layer removal and on the dentin structure after irrigation with 1 minute and 10 minutes.

Materials & Methods: One hundred extracted mandibular molars with two separate mesial canals were selected; mesiobuccal canal was instrumented to size 30 file with crown down technique. One half of each root (either mesial or distal) was randomly selected and prepared for scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evaluation that was then cut longitudinally into two equal segments.

Feasibility and safety of same-day discharge after implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement for primary prevention.

Background: In the current age of ever-increasing healthcare costs, it is of utmost importance to adopt strategies that reduce hospital stay and cost, while still maintaining patient safety. In this study we review our approach of same-day discharge following implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 415 consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation for prevention of SCD between 2007 and 2010.

A forgotten devil; Rupture of mitral valve papillary muscle.

Background: Papillary muscle rupture is one of the catastrophic mechanical complications following myocardial infarction. Rupture leads to acute mitral valve regurgitation, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock. Survival is dependent on prompt recognition and surgical intervention.

Is race a risk factor for the development of renal artery stenosis?

Atherosclerotic renal artery disease is a common cause of hypertension and chronic kidney disease that may progress into end stage renal failure if not diagnosed and treated early. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to determine whether race is an independent risk factor for developing RAS.

Impact of the prehospital ECG on door-to-balloon time in ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: National guidelines have been set to achieve door-to-balloon time (D2B) is less than 90 minutes to improve outcomes for patients with STEMI. The purpose of this study is to see if a more aggressive approach utilizing prehospital ECGs could improve reperfusion times.

Methods: The EMS personnel obtained a 12-lead ECG during initial assessment in the field from patients with chest pain.

An in vivo evaluation of two types of files used to accurately determine the diameter of the apical constriction of a root canal: an in vivo study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare sizes of the first instrument with or without a taper that binds at the apical constriction of a root canal after coronal flaring.

Methods And Materials: A total of 310 canals were evaluated in patients presenting for root canal therapy. Canals with intact apices were selected.

The influence of metabolic degradation on the blood pressure lowering effect of clonidine in rabbits after different routes of administration.

In rabbits, clonidine (200 micrograms/kg) exerted no blood pressure lowering effect after oral administration contrary to the strong decrease in blood pressure after i.v. injection.

[Metabolic degradation of clonidine (author's transl)].

From the urine of dogs treated with 14C-clonidine (Catapres) 6 radioactive substances were isolated and their chemical structures identified. The presence of unchanged clonidine, p-hydroxy-clonidine, and dichlorophenylguanidine was confirmed and three new metabolites were detected: 1-(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-guanidine; 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-imino-a1-imidazolidine-4-one; 2-[2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-imino]-imidazolidine-4-one. The splitting of the imidazolidine ring and the hydroxylation of the phenyl ring are the two principal routes of metabolism.